Raj Thackeray taunts MLAs for Europe jaunt

MUMBAI: MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday blasted legislators for planning a foreign jaunt at a time the state was facing severe water and fodder shortage. Nearly 25 legislators plan to be on a 'study tour' of Europe from June 1-15 under the Commonwealth Parliamentary programme. They will visit London, Paris and Switzerland, it is learnt. Thackeray has asked MNS legislators to stay away from the trip."These politicians have no shame. They are eager to fly abroad... and taxpayers will pay for their holiday. Such politicians should not be allowed to enter their hometowns. You should boycott them," he said at a party conclave.
Thackeray slammed the ruling DF government for its failure to tackle water shortage in most parts of the state. The ruling elite has done nothing in the last 65 years to augment Maharashtra's water supply. People have to trek for miles for a bucket of water. Animals are dying because of lack of water. But, those in power have no qualms of conscience,'' he stated.
Thackeray instructed his partymen to make arrangements for water tankers and fodder for animals in scarcity-hit villages. I want every MNS activist to reach out to the smallest 'basti' which is hit by water shortage,'' he said, adding, I will randomly visit scarcity-hit areas to see if partymen are on with their relief work.''
Alleging that nerarly 6,000 acres of the forest land in Tadoba, in Chandrapur, was set afire recently by contractors to make way for illegal quarrying and mining, Thackeray urged partymen to team up with the wild life activists to protect the flora and fauna in their areas.
Tigers are being wantonly slaughtered in forests and their skin is sold abroad. The MNS should gear up to tackle the menace. Join hands with NGOs and wild life enthusiasts to nab contractors who kill tigers and set aflame large tracts of the forest land,'' he stated.
Uddhav Thackeray slams Sharad Pawar
Shiv Sena CEO Uddhav Thackeray has lambasted NCP chief Sharad Pawar for organising a protest march in New Delhi on May 16 to highlight the farmers' plight. Instead of holding a protest rally in New Delhi, Pawar should turn his gaze on Maharashtra where the drought situation is alarming,'' said Uddhav while speaking to media-persons in Yeotmal on Wednesday.
The Sena CEO said the ruling DF had no right to stay in power as it had failed to provide tackle the worsening water crisis in the state.